FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS 'OF GURNARDS, TRIGLA LUCERNA Linnaeus, 1758 AND TRIGLOPORUS LASTOVISA (BrOnnich, 1768) IN THE EGYPTIAN MEDITERRANEAN WATERS

FOOD AND FEEDING HABITS ‘OF GURNARDS,

TRIGLA LUCERNA Linnaeus, 1758 AND TRIGLOPORUS

LASTOVISA (BrOnnich, 1768) IN THE EGYPTIAN

MEDITERRANEAN WATERS

By
S. N. FALTAS*
*National Institute of Oceanography and Fisheries, Alexandria, Egypt.
Key-words: Gurnards, Trigla lucerna, Trigloporus lastovisa, feeding habits.
ABSTRACT
Stomach contents of the two gurnards, Trigla lucerna L. and
Trigloporus lastovisa (BrOn.) captured by bottom trawlers from the
Egyptian Mediterranean waters during the period from’ October, 1994 to
September, 1995 were analyzed. Small fishes and shrimps were the
major food items in the diet of T. lucerna whereas small-sized
crustaceans (shrimp and crab) were preferred by T. lastovisa. The food
composition and feeding intensity were subjected to seasonal changes.
The feeding intensity was higher during February-April period for T.
lucerna while it had no apparent trend for T. lastovisa. Statistical
analysis of trophic niche suggested no competition for food resources
between the two species.